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Assateague
Overview
Assateague Island, located near the charming town of Berlin, Maryland, offers one of the most distinctive RV camping experiences on the Atlantic coast. This barrier island is famous worldwide for its wild horses that roam freely through the campgrounds and along the beaches. Managed by both the National Park Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the area provides a rustic escape where the rhythm of the ocean and the sight of coastal wildlife take precedence over modern frills. It is a place for travelers seeking a deep connection with nature and unspoiled coastal landscapes.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated on a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sinepuxent Bay. To reach this coastal haven, visitors travel through the historic town of Berlin, MD, known for its classic architecture and local shops. The surroundings are characterized by shifting sand dunes, salt marshes, and maritime forests. Because it is a barrier island, the environment is constantly changing, offering RVers stunning sunrises over the surf and peaceful sunsets over the bay, providing a true sense of isolation despite being a short drive from mainland conveniences.
Amenities & Park Features
RV amenities at Assateague vary between the State Park and the National Seashore. The State Park offers several loops with electric hookups, which are highly coveted by those traveling in larger rigs. In contrast, the National Seashore is primarily a dry camping destination, making it ideal for self-contained RVs. Standard features across the island include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouse facilities with cold water showers. While you will not find luxury resort amenities like pools or clubhouses, the park provides essential dump stations and potable water fill-ups for your convenience.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the beach, where visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. For those who enjoy being on the water, the bay side of the island is perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, offering a chance to spot herons and egrets. A short drive away, the town of Berlin provides a cultural contrast with its historic district and local breweries. Additionally, the high-energy boardwalk and amusements of Ocean City are just a few miles north, allowing travelers to balance their quiet nature retreat with some classic seaside entertainment.
Who This Park Is Best For
Assateague is best suited for adventurous RVers who prefer natural beauty over resort-style amenities. It is a bucket-list destination for wildlife photographers and families who want their children to witness wild ponies in a natural habitat. Because of the coastal winds and sandy environment, it is ideal for those comfortable with primitive or semi-primitive camping. If you value falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves and waking up to horses grazing near your campsite, this park will be the highlight of your Maryland travels.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
HeavenandEarth
We love going to Assateague Island🐎🐴 🏝 😍 ⛺️✨️🌙The horses are there to see and so much more wildlife .Very well kept up environment and camping there is awesome. So much to see and explore in the area also you can rent a bike , canoe or kayak.There's a store not far from there that has everything you could need for your camping experience 😀 I love stopping in to get what I need .I will always enjoy going to Assateague Island it's more family friendly and low key then Ocean city.
Jeff Wallace
My wife and lucked up and snagged a last minute reservation for this past Father’s Day weekend due to a cancellation. We camped at site E112 which is conveniently located two spots from the bath house. The camp hosts Don and Ginger were right beside us and came over while we were setting up to welcome us and introduce themselves. We later saw them walking around the loop keeping the area immaculate!!! This was our first time in the State campground as we have only camped in the National Park next door in previous outings. And the State campground is much more equipped, having hot showers and what appears to be better maintained facilities overall. Whether you’re in the State Park or the National Park, the beaches are phenomenal… and pristine! Unlike the beaches in OC, which are vastly overcrowded and polluted with trash everywhere. Assateague has become our annual Mecca since we moved to Maryland 12 years ago. The wild ponies, amazing sunsets and sunrises are truly spectacular. Highly recommend!
Tina Richburg
Assateague State Park is gorgeous. It's definitely a must-see . The horses are able to roam free around the whole park, including the beach area. Due to that you can not bring food on the beach . They have a ton of camping spots right past the dunes .if you are strong enough to brave it . The campground is very open, so the wind wipes, though . The horses also roam, though, so you have to be careful with your food . But once you know all that, the park is amazing . It was so beautiful and peaceful
Melissa Johnson
We had incredible experiences at the park last week. Beautiful, clean, well-kept beaches. We saw lots of horses. It seemed like it was going to be overcrowded because of waiting for 30 minutes in traffic but didn't feel that way at all when we made it to the beach. *Would have liked more lunch options the day we went to that side of the beach. Overall, just awesome. Highly recommend.
Susette Friend
Stayed at the campgrounds for the first time, during 8-1 through 8-4 . What a neat and exciting experience to see and have the horses come into our campsite. If you haven't camped there yet, it's highly recommended. My boyfriend and I will definitely be back! Just a fore warning, the campsites get booked pretty quickly. Most reservations are booked up to a year in advance. My boyfriend was lucky enough to reserve 3 nights for us, although our first night we could only have for 1 night and then the next day we had to move to another site for the other 2 nights. But the important thing was we got the reservations just 2 days before leaving, What luck!. It was great to see so many riding their bikes, walking along the bike path for exercise, and, of course, the children playing.